94 
Mr. B. Alexander —An Ornithological 
grew dark the Nightjars chimed in with their grinding notes 
that sounded very loud in the still air and were at times in 
perfect unison. This bird lacks the call-note of our Night¬ 
jar ( C . europaus ). Breeding takes place towards the end of 
September. 
Our specimens vary in measurements, while the plumage of 
one is very pale in colour, being a light sandy-rufous all over. 
Adult $ (Chicowa). Total length (measured in flesh) 9*75 
inches, wing 6 7, tail 5*1. 
Adult S (Chicowa). Total length (measured in flesh) 9'65 
inches, wing 6*5, tail 5*6. 
Adult $ (Chicowa). Wing 6T inches, tail 5. 
Adult ? (Chicowa). Total length (measured in flesh) 8 7 
inches, wing 5*8, tail 4 4. 
Adult ? (Senna). Wing 5*7 inches, tail 4*3. 
126. CoSMETORNIS VEXILLARIUS (Gould). 
This species is locally distributed along the river, frequent¬ 
ing in pairs more or less open spots in the woods where the 
sun can penetrate, or the reed-girt islands in the river itself. 
Just after dusk had fallen, we used to see this weird and 
decorative-looking bird suddenly appear as if from nowhere, 
floating through the air with a dancing buoyant flight 
towards the water's edge, to return a short time after and 
commence hawking after moths. We noticed that this species 
invariably went first of all to the water before embarking upon 
the serious work of catching its prey. 
The breeding-season is in November, when the elongated 
primaries of the males become much worn. 
127. Eurystomus afer (Lath.). 
Plentiful and observed in small parties, in which the male 
sex predominated to a large extent. Breeds towards the 
middle of November, in holes in the baobab-trees, the males 
appearing not to share in the task of incubation. 
On several occasions, when it became almost dark, we saw 
this bird still on the wing. 
Adult. Bill yellow; iris hazel; legs and feet greenish 
brown. 
